Chelsea loanee in line for season debut against Man Utd | OneFootball

Everton manager Sean Dyche has admitted he is hopeful of handing Chelsea loanee Armando Broja his first minutes of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.

Chelsea were looking to sell Broja in the summer before a nasty injury put a halt to a potential exit, although Everton eventually agreed to a loan deal knowing they were not likely to see the 23-year-old in action for several months.

Broja's battle against an Achilles injury is close to a conclusion after he managed two appearances for Everton's Under-21 side, and now Dyche has confirmed the Chelsea academy graduate could be back in senior action on Sunday.

"AB is looking really fit," Dyche said. "He's done a lot of background work and I've spoken to him about possibly being involved [against United]."

Everton have scored just ten goals all season - only bottom side Southampton have managed fewer - and are without a goal in their last three outings, so Dyche is keen for any boost possible to his forward line.

The nature of Everton's agreement with Chelsea over Broja is understood to be favourable to the Toffees, who will reportedly not pay any of the striker's wages until he is fit enough to feature in a matchday squad.

The deal also includes a £30m option for Everton to make the move permanent next summer.